Germany study visa
The financial requirement for a German study visa has increased by 20%. according to reports. Source: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

Germany has increased the financial requirement for non-EU international students, who must provide proof of their their financial means as part of their visa application to carry out their planned programme of study.

The 20 percent increase will raise the minimum deposit for a German study visa from €8,640 to €10,236, and will take effect from September 1, 2019, according to ICEF Monitor.

“The increase, which is the first in years, is meant to keep up with inflation and intended to reduce incidences in which students jeopardise their academic performance by taking on too much paid work during their studies,” notes the report.

The German government advises: “Many countries have providers that offer blocked accounts. Information is available from the respective competent German mission abroad. Furthermore, certain banks in Germany offer special blocked accounts for students/language students for educational institutions located at their place of business.”

Non-EU international students have three ways to show proof of financial means, which is among the most important requirements for obtaining a Germany study visa. They can show that they are a scholarship recipient or that they have an approved sponsor for their study programme.

The third and most common way is depositing a minimum amount of money into a “blocked account”, which is a bank account designed specifically for international students and offered by German banks, including Deutsche Bank and Fintiba. For admission to a German university, the account must be opened in their home country before the student enters German borders, as a confirmation from the bank is among the required documents for a visa application.

The student then has to deposit the minimum amount to show proof of means to finance themselves throughout their first year of study.

Before applying for a Germany study visa, international students can open a “blocked account” with a German bank such as Deutsche Bank and Fintiba. Source: Yann Schreiber/AFP

Until they arrive in Germany, the amount is “blocked” from access – any withdrawal is up to a specified monthly limit and can only be done once the student has arrived in Germany. Under the new rule, they can withdraw a maximum of €853 per month, rising from the previous €735.

Speaking to The PIE News, Gerrit Bruno Blöss, Managing Director of Study EU, said:

“Traditionally, the required amount, or ‘Regelbedarf’, to apply for the student visa is set to roughly the maximum annual payout in the German federal student grant and loan scheme.

“The maximum [grant] amount increased a lot between 2018 and 2019 to reflect the drastic increase in rent in cities like Munich, Hamburg or Berlin over recent years.

“It only makes sense that the required amount for student visas increases likewise.”

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